Clothespin



1943. J. E. BURDICK 2,331,104

CLOTHESPIN Filed may 22, 1943 Patented Oct. 5, 1943 ,ge nEs-m John E. Burdick, manta-Ta: Application May 22, 1943, Serial No. 488,105 3 Claims. (c1. 24-137) The present invention is directed to improvements in clothespins.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is formed wholly of wood, and so constructed that it can be easily and quickly applied toa clothes line to retain the clothes thereon by wedging action, and with such tenacity as to positively prevent the accidental disengagement of the clothes from the line.

A further object of the invention is, to provide a device of this nature which is extremely simple in construction, effective in operation, and one that is inexpensive to manufacture.

.Still another object of the invention is to produce a clothespin consisting of two relatively slidable sections so connected as to positively prevent accidental disengagement of the sections, but at the same time permit the same to slide freely during removal from the clothes and line or applying the same thereto.

With these and other objects in View, thisinvention resides in the novel features of construction, formation, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the device.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is a side view'showing the sections in open position.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the sections in gripping position on the clothes and line.

Figure 6 is a face view of the auxiliary section.

Figure '7 is a face view of the primary section.

The pin comprises elongated primary and auxiliary sections I and 2, respectively formed from well seasoned hard wood.

The section I is formed with a transverse recess 3, the base of which terminates at its lower end in an inclined face 4, and head 5, the purpose of which will later appear.

The section I is further provided with a longitudinal dovetailed groove 6, open at both ends,

rand is adapted to slidably receive the correspondingly shaped. rib I formed longitudinally of the section 2, and integral therewith.

In the base of the groove 6 is formed a shallow channel 8, the upper end of which being closed to provide a stop 9, the purpose of which will appear later.

The lower end of the section -2 is formedwith a reduced extension II), to provide a transverse abutment I I, and which merges with the tapered end I2 of the rib I. To slidably connect the sections I and 2 it is only necessary to place the tapered end of the rib I into the upper end of the groove 6, after which the wooden pin I3 is entered into the section 2 and rib I adjacent the tapered end I2 thereof. v v I The pin I3 is of such length that the inner end thereof will extend a sufficient distance to engage the stop 9, thus preventing the section 2 from becoming disengagedirom the section I during movement of the section 2 in onedirection relative to the section I. 1

The sliding movement of the section 2 in a reverse direction is limited by the tapered end I2 of the rib 1. upon engaging inclined face 4 of the section I. freely, but are positively prevented from becoming accidentally disengaged.

The outer faces of the sections I and 2 are provided with roughened areas I4 and I5, re-

spectively, to prevent slipping of the fingers, when the pin is being applied to or removed ing, whereupon the clothes I! upon the line I8 will be firmly gripped when the sections are moved to the positions as shown in Figure 5.

When in closed position the clothes will be clamped between theextension I0, abutment II and inclined face 4.

Owing to the presence of the tapered end of the rib I and inclination of the face 4, and the transverse ribs I 6, the clothes will be gripped on the line and held against accidental disengagement.

While it is desirable that no metal be used in the manufacture of the device brads may be substituted for the pin I3 if available.

' Whatis claimed is:

1. .A clothespin comprising a primary section and an auxiliary section, the primary. section having a longitudinal groove therein, the auxiliary section having a longitudinal rib thereon for slidably engaging the groove, the base of,

the groove having a channel therein and having a stop at one end, a pin passable through the auxiliary section and rib and adapted to engage said stop to limit the sliding movementof the Thus the sections may slide auxiliary section in one direction, and means carried by the respective sections to grip clothes on a line.

2. A clothespin comprising relatively slidable primary and auxiliary sections, the primary section having a longitudinal groove therein, the auxiliary section having a correspondingly shaped rib thereon for sliding engagement in said groove, the primary section having a transverse recess therein and a resultant head, the auxiliary section having a reduced extension to overhang said head to grip articles in said recess.

3. A clothespin comprising a primary section and an auxiliary section, the primary section having a longitudinal dovetailed groove therein, the base of said groove having a longitudinal channel therein closed at one end to provide a stop, a dovetailed rib on the auxiliary section for slidable engagement in the said groove, said primary section having a transverse recess to provide a head in said recess provided with an inclined face, said auxiliary section having a reduced extension on one end adapted to overhang said head to clamp an article engaged on the inclined face, a pin passing through the auxiliary section and rib and having one end projecting beyond said rib for slidable movement in the channel, and adapted to engage the stop to limit the sliding movement of the auxiliary section in one direction relative to the primary section.

JOHN E. BURDICK. 

